Interactive question and answer dream game

ABSTRACT

A method for playing a game includes a game unit used to collect dreams in the event certain criteria are met. During the game a dream is selected by a first player, and the first player, in response to a question from a second player provides background information. After the background information is provided, a determination is made whether the criteria are met to use the game unit as a collection point. The game players then sleep, after which additional background information is requested by the second player from the first player to determine if the criteria are met to use the game unit as a collection point for dreams.

This application claims priority based on Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 60/832,288 filed Jul. 20, 2006.

This invention pertains to games.

More particularly, the invention pertains to an interactive game foryoung children to select a dream and provide background informationconcerning the dream to determine whether to collect the dream in a gameunit.

In another respect, the invention pertains to an interactive game whichrequires manual dexterity for a young child to deposit in the game unita card describing a dream.

In a further respect, the invention pertains to a game in which a firstplayer, on being asked by a second player, selects a dream.

In still another respect, the invention pertains to an interactive gameof the type described in which a first player, on being asked a questionby a second player, provides background information on the dreamselected by the first player.

In still a further respect, the invention pertains to an interactivegame of the type described in which criteria are selected to determinewhether the game unit is used to collect a dream selected by the firstplayer.

In yet still another respect, the invention pertains to an interactivegame of the type described in which a first player, on being asked aquestion by a second player after the first player has slept, providesadditional background information on the dream selected by the firstplayer.

Games which utilize questions and answers are well known.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,648,331, issued Nov. 18, 2003, describes a game in whicha game unit is utilized. The game unit includes a sleeve and a game cardrotatably mounted in the sleeve. Subjects are identified on the gamecard, along with clues used to guess the identity of each subject. Afirst player holds the game unit and provides a clue to a second player.The second player can, after receiving the clue, ask a question of thefirst player in an attempt to gain enough information to identify thesubject. If the second player, after asking the question, can notidentify the subject, the first player provides the second player with asecond clue from the game card, after which the second player can againask a question in an attempt to identify the subject. And so on. Oneembodiment of the invention is described in Claim 1 of the patent:

-   -   1. A method of playing a game, comprising the steps of:        -   (a) providing a game unit consisting of            -   (i) a sleeve,            -   (ii) at least one game card rotatably mounted in said                sleeve,            -   (iii) at least first and second selected subjects                identified on said card,            -   (iv) word clues on said card to the identification of                each of said selected subjects, and            -   (v) words comprising background information concerning                each of said selected subjects,            -   said first subject and said word clues and background                information for said first subject being grouped on a                first portion of said card, said second subject and said                word clues and background information for said first                subject being grouped on a second portion of said card                different from said first portion, said sleeve being                shaped and dimensioned such that only one of a pair                comprising            -   (vi) said first subject and said word clues and                background information for said first subject, and            -   (vii) said second subject and said word clues and                background information for said second subject, can be                viewed at a time and such that the one of said pair not                being viewed is concealed by said sleeve, said word                clues including words that symbolize and communicate a                meaning without being divisible into smaller units                capable of independent use;        -   (b) selecting at least one first and one second player;        -   (c) providing the game unit to the first player;        -   (d) selecting said first subject and manipulating said game            unit such that said first subject, along with said word            clues and background information for said first subject, are            viewable;        -   (e) providing at least one of said clues on the game unit            for said first subject to the second player by the first            player;        -   (f) asking at least a first question of the first player by            the second player to gain at least a portion of said            background information about said first subject, said first            player checking the correctness of the first question            against said background information on the game unit for            said first subject; and,        -   (g) asking, according to a correct response by the first            player to the first question, a second question of the first            player by the second player to identify said first subject,            said first player checking the correctness of the second            question against said first subject on the game unit.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,431, issued May 5, 1998, describes a question andanswer football game. The game provides a complete game for individualinstitutions and/or teams. Players compete by answering questions whichare inscribed on play cards. The play cards are divided into categoriesaccording to progressive levels of difficulty. The game can be played byone individual, two individuals, or two groups of individuals. The gamemay be played using data from one or two institutions. A score card isused by the offensive player to record the results of each playattempted, the outcome, points scored and total score. The defensiveplayer reads questions from cards drawn from the four categoriesrequested by the offensive player or team More difficult questions areworth more yards gained. Kick cards are used for punt, kickoff, fieldgoal, and extra point attempts. A team marker is placed on a game boardwhich resembles a football field and provides yard markers for visualreference of player process. As points are scored, they are tabulated ona score card. The game follows standard football rules and conventions.Kick cards and play cards are arranged in a game box. One embodiment ofthe invention is set forth in Claim 1:

-   -   1. A method of playing an education, question and answer sports        game based on a player's knowledge of factual sports information        about a sport or an institution, comprising        -   providing at least one set of cards including a plurality of            playing cards having indicia representing progressive            numerical levels of advancement representing yards advanced            in regard to reaching an objective of said game wherein each            said playing card includes a written question corresponding            to said indicia representing the progressive numerical            levels of advancement representing yards advanced, and said            written question being about factual information pertaining            to a particular sports team and a written answer responsive            to said written question wherein said written questions have            degrees of difficulty corresponding to said progressive            numerical levels of advancement,        -   selecting said playing cards by a respective player in            accordance with a level of advancement desired to be achieve            by the player's answering the question by the player;        -   monitoring an answer by the player and an advancement of the            said player toward said game objective in response to            whether said player's answer to said corresponding questions            embodied on said playing cards is correct;        -   repeatedly selecting said playing cards and adding the            numerical levels of advancement for correct answers until            the player achieves a first down by advancing at least a            total of ten yards in four or less selections of the playing            cards or achieves a touchdown;        -   providing a set of kick cards which include kick            instructions; and,        -   drawing one of said kick cards as an option after failing to            achieve a total of at least ten yards in three or less            selections of the playing cards.

Another embodiment of the invention is set forth in Claim 4:

-   -   4. The method of Claim 1 including the step of turning over the        selection of playing cards to a second player in accordance with        the kick instructions on said kick card as drawn by a first        player whereby said second player resumes play of the game in        accordance with the selection of said playing card and the        answering of said questions until said second player either        fails to achieve a first down by advancing at least a total of        ten yards in four or less selections or scores a touchdown.

A further embodiment of the invention is set forth in Claim 6:

-   -   6. The method of Claim 1 wherein said game includes        -   recording a number of a down, a number of yards to go for a            first down, and a present location of a football for a first            player representing the advancement of the first player;        -   indicating the level of advancement yardage gain attempted            by the first player on the present down;        -   selecting a playing card by said second player corresponding            to the degree of difficulty selected by said first player,            said second player asking the question written on said            playing card to said first player;        -   said second player checking the answer of said first player            against said answer written on said playing card; and,        -   recording any yardage gained by said first player in            response to the correctness of his answer to said question.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,518, issued Jun. 22, 1999, describes a game forentertainment as well as learning. The game is provided on a case whichalso serves as a storage container. One side of the case has a field ofplay that simulates a real life game. Game pieces are provided on theother side and include questions on cards that must be answeredcorrectly for a player to have a chance to advance a token on the fieldof play. The answer to the questions is revealed in an answer window.Spinners are provided with markings to indicate the movement of thetoken. The rules of the game are variable to be suited to the age groupof the players. Claim 1 describes one embodiment of the invention:

-   -   1. A method of playing a board game whereby players play a game        and learn a sport represented by the game, which comprises:        -   (a) providing a game board with a playing surface having            indicia consisting of only one field of play representing a            sporting event played by opposing teams on the field of            play, providing a plurality of tokens, assigning one or more            tokens to each player, each player placing their one or more            tokens on at least one starting position on said field of            play, wherein each token represents an opposing team in a            sporting event played on said field of play, said field of            play having indicia representing spaces or positions of            advancement dispersed about the field of play wherein            different directions of movement are possible including a            forward direction of movement, said field of play having two            goal positions at opposite ends of the field of play or a            common goal position for all players, assigning said goal            position for each player or players to advance toward,            providing playing cards having questions relating to the            sport event and a chance selection device providing a random            chance of advancement on the field of play;        -   (b) assigning one of the players an advancement opportunity,            and selecting a playing card having questions that challenge            the player's knowledge of the sport event, the correct            answer allowing the player to make a chance selection on            said chance selection device;        -   (c) said player making a chance selection on said chance            selection device;        -   (d) advancing an advancement token which is moved on the            field of play having varying consequences as determined by            the chance selection device and the starting positions of            the tokens;        -   (e) said player repeating the steps of (b), (c), and (d)            until one or more questions are answered incorrectly or one            or more chance selections or advancements of the advancement            token dictates termination of the play of the player;        -   (f) shifting the advancement opportunity to the other player            and the other player pursuing steps (b)-(e); and,        -   (g) continuing the alternation of players until the game is            concluded.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,224,057, issued May 1, 2001, describes a game whichmerges two game formats into a unique and novel game comprising a gameboard and playing pieces. The playing pieces are used by the players tomark the movement of the players as the players advance around the gameboard. During each turn, the player must answer a question and constructa list of words based upon the letters in the correct answer. The playeraccumulating a predetermined number of points is declared the winner.Claim 1 describes one embodiment of the invention:

-   -   1. A method of playing a game comprising the steps of:        -   providing a game board having a plurality of playing spaces            defined thereon, said playing spaces defining a playing            path; said playing spaces containing therein indicia of one            of one or more subject categories, said game board further            having a starting playing space located on said playing            path;        -   providing one or more card spaces, wherein the number of            said card spaces are at least equal to the number of said            subject categories;        -   providing a plurality of question cards in stacks upon said            card spaces so that all question cards pertaining to each of            said plurality of subject categories are placed upon said            corresponding card space, said stacks having a topmost card;        -   providing a plurality of playing pieces, each of said            playing pieces being used to represent one of a plurality of            players, said playing pieces being positioned on the            starting playing space at the start of the game;        -   providing a means for randomly generating a number, wherein            each player in turn generates a random number, advances his            playing piece along the playing path the same number of            playing spaces as the random number;        -   presenting to the player the question on the topmost card in            said stack of question card which corresponds to the subject            category on the playing space occupied by the player's            piece;        -   the player answers the question, and if the answer is            correct, constructs a word list based upon the letters in            the correct answer;        -   evaluating said word list and awarding points to the player            based upon the number and nature of the words constructed            wherein the first player to receive a predetermined number            of points is declared the winner of the game.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,032, issued Sep. 19, 2000, discloses a game having adisplay of alphanumeric combinations, and a device containing at leastone category of subjects involving questions and correct answers to thequestions in the form of clues provided by the numbers of thealphanumeric combination contained in the display. One embodiment of theinvention is described in Claim 1 of the patent:

-   -   1. A game comprising        -   a display of letter and number combinations wherein each            number of the letter/number combinations represents a            predetermined group of letters, and        -   means separate from the display of the letter/number            combinations for presenting a subject to a player of the            game involving a question and a correct answer to said            question, and clues to the correct answer, said clues being            provided by numbers of the letter/number combinations that            represent the letters of the correct answer.

Another embodiment of the invention is described in Claim 18:

-   -   18. A game apparatus comprising        -   a game board having a layout of a telephone keyboard wherein            single numbers represent a group of letters, and        -   at least one category of subject involving questions and            answers to said questions wherein the answers are provided            in the form of representative numbers selected from the            numbers found on the game board,        -   the correct answer to a given question being determined by a            combination of said numbers that represent the letters that            correctly spell the answer.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,124,214, issued Nov. 7, 1978, concerns a board game inwhich a player can select one of several hypothetical “interpretations”of a dream and then, based on the value awarded the selectedinterpretation, alter his position on the game board. Claim 5 describesone embodiment of the invention:

-   -   5. A method for playing a game concerning the interpretation of        dreams and played by a plurality of players, said game including        a plurality of question cards forming question subsets each        corresponding to the probability of a chance determination,        comprising the steps of:        -   initiating a chance event by each of said players in order;        -   after each such initiation, selecting one of said subsets in            accordance with the outcome of said chance determinations;        -   selecting one of a plurality of question cards from said            selected question subset, each of said question cards            presenting a question dealing with the interpretation of a            dream and requiring one of a selected number of player            responses, each of said responses having a relative answer            value differing from the relative answer value of at least            one other response to said question;        -   selecting one of said responses; and        -   varying said player's position of play in accordance with            the relative answer value of the response to said question            selected by said player.

One disadvantage of prior art games is that they typically require aplaying board, which board can be impractical to use while traveling inan automobile, airplane, or other vehicle. Prior art games also normallyare not utilized prior to and do not incorporate and facilitate sleep aspart of the game.

Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide an improved gamethat would not require the use of a board and would be utilized prior toand incorporate sleep as part of the game.

Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to provide animproved game method and apparatus.

These and other, further and more specific objects and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following detailed description ofthe invention, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a game unit utilized in thegame of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating game cards that can beutilized in one embodiment of the game of the invention; and,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an alternate game unit thatcan be utilized in the game of the invention.

Briefly, in accordance with the invention, I provide an improved methodof playing a game concerning dreams. The method includes the step ofproviding a dream collection game unit. The game unit comprises a hollowhousing; at least one opening formed in the housing; at least onetransparent jewel member mounted in the housing; and, at least one lightmounted in the housing to illuminate the jewel and produce light raysthat exit said hollow housing through the opening. The method alsoinclude the steps of selecting criteria to meet to use the dreamcollection game unit to collect a dream; selecting at least one firstand one second player; asking of the first player by the second playerto select a dream; asking at least a first question of the first playerby the second player to gain background information on the selecteddream; evaluating, on the basis of a response to the first question bythe first player, whether the criteria are met to utilize the dreamcollection game unit to collect the selected dream; and, first andsecond player retiring to bed and sleeping. The method can also includethe step of, after the first and second player awaken from sleep in step(g), asking at least a first question of the first player by the secondplayer to gain background information on the selected dream. The methodcan also include the further step of, on the basis of a response to thefirst question by the first player after the first and second layerawaken from sleep, determining whether the criteria are met to utilizethe dream collection game unit to collect the selected dream.

Turning now to the drawings, which depict the presently preferredembodiments of the invention for the purpose of illustrating thepractice thereof and not by way of limitation of the scope of theinvention, and in which like reference characters refer to correspondingelements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates a game unit 10utilized in the practice of the invention. Unit 10 includes a hollowhousing 25. At least one slot 11, 12 is formed in the housing 25. Atleast one transparent or translucent jewel 15 is mounted on and isvisible on the exterior of the housing 25. A light source mounted insidehousing generates light that travels from the interior of housing 25 outthrough slot 11 in the manner indicated by arrows E and F, and thattravels out through jewel 15 in the manner indicated by arrow D. Jewel15 can be artificial or real, can be faceted in the manner of a diamond,or need not be faceted in the manner of an opal or translucent pearl.

One possible light arrangement inside housing 25 is illustrated in FIG.1 and includes a spherically shaped reflector 14 that can, if desired,be mounted in housing 25 to rotate in the direction of arrow A. Lightrays generated by fixed light source 13 mounted inside housing 25reflect off reflector 14 and through and out slot 11 in the mannerindicated by arrows C and E, and, reflect off reflector 14 and throughtransparent or translucent jewel 15 in the manner indicated by arrows Band D. The surface of reflector 14 can be smooth and continuous like thesurface of a marble, or, can be comprised of a plurality of small, flatmirrors. When small, flat mirrors are utilized and reflector 14 rotatesin the direction indicated by arrow A, the light E, F, D exiting slot 11and jewel 15 can appear to “dance” and move about. Or, light source 13can move and reflector 14 can be stationary (and, for example, comprisea flat mirror); or, both can move. Or, a light source can be utilized inhousing 25 without one or more reflectors 14. One example of “dancinglight” is seen when, on a sunny day, light passes through a transparentglass prism hanging on a lamp and the prism moves about due to a breezein the room. As the prism moves, the light passing through the prismmoves about on the walls and floor of the room. Any desired apparatuscan be utilized in housing 25 to produce a dancing light effect thatmakes light “move” as it exits housing 25. Color filters can also beutilized inside housing 25 such that the color of light exiting thehousing through slot 11 changes or varies. Jewel 15 can be one color orcan be multi-colored. The location of jewel(s) 15 on housing 25 can varyas long as the jewel 15 can be seen from at least one side of housing 25when the bottom 26 of housing 25 is setting on a table or other surfacein the orientation illustrated in FIG. 1.

The use of jewel 15 and/or light in game unit 10 that emanates outwardlyfrom game unit 10 is believed important in the practice of the inventionbecause the intention is to make game unit 10 appear to a three to tenyear old young child to be a safe, and possibly somewhat mystical andpowerful, place to collect a dream.

In one embodiment of the game of the invention, game unit 10 isprovided. Criteria are selected to determine whether to use game unit 10to collect dreams.

One criteria could be that unit 10 is utilized only to collect dreamsabout animals. Another criteria could be that unit 10 is utilized onlyto collect dreams about family members. A further criteria could be thatunit 10 is utilized only to collect dreams about Disneyland. A furthercriteria could be that unit 10 is utilized only to collect dreams aboutsnowy landscapes. An alternate criteria could requires the dream to beabout Disneyland during a certain trip to Disneyland. These foregoingcriteria are ordinarily positive, enjoyable experiences, in which casethe unit 10 is used to collect such dreams.

An alternate criteria could require that a dream collected by unit 10 bea dream about crocodiles or a monster sleeping under the bed of one ofthe game players; or, could require that a dream collected by unit 10 beabout a time when one of the game players was injured while playing.Such criteria are ordinarily undesirable experiences, in which case theunit 10 is used to collect such kinds of dreams.

For sake of discussion and example, and not limitation, it is assumedthat the criteria for using unit 10 to collect dreams is that thesubject matter of the dream must concern a pine tree woodland during thewinter, where the trees and ground are coated in a fresh layer of snow.

The next step in the game is to select first and second players. Atleast the first player is a young child aged three to ten. The secondplayer can also be a young child, or can be older.

The next step in the game is for the second player to ask the firstplayer to select a dream. One way that the first player selects a dreamis to draw a card 17, 18 from a stack 16 of playing cards. Each card 17,18 is imprinted 19 with a general dream topic and, if desired,additional background information about the dream. Another way for thefirst player to select a dream is to write down on a blank card 17, 18 adream of choice. A further way for a first player to select a dream isto select a past experience or dream. Or to select an experience ordream that is desired.

The next step in the game is for the second player to ask the firstplayer a question to gain background information about the selecteddream. While the form of the question can vary as desired, the secondplayer can, for example, ask “What is the dream about?” or request “Giveme some background information on what the dream is about.” One way thefirst player provides such background information is to read thebackground information that is imprinted 19 on a card 17, 18 drawn bythe first player, or, that was written on a card by the first player.Another way for the first player to provide such background informationis for the first player to verbally describe the background informationwithout reference to the card, as for examples in the case of a pastexperience or dream by the first player. Another way for the firstplayer to provide such background information is to hand a card 17, 18to the second player. For sake of example, it assumed that the secondplayer drew a card 17, 18 and that the card describes backgroundinformation comprising a dream topic concerning Disneyland, and thefirst player recites this background information to the second player.

The next step in the game is to determine, according to the responseprovided by the first player to the second player's request forbackground information, whether the criteria necessary to utilize thedream collection game unit 10 are met. Since the criteria require asnowy winter scene, and since the current dream concerns Disneyland, thecriteria are not met and unit 10 is not utilized to collect the dream.That can conclude the game, or, the game can continue. For sake ofexample, it is assumed that the game continues, and that the firstplayers draws another card 17, 18 from the deck 16 of cards. This nextcard drawn by the first player describes a snowy scene in a forest withdeer walking through the forest. When the second player asks a questionto gain background information about the newly selected dream, the firstplayer describes the snowy scene recited on the card (or simply handsthe card to the second player).

The next step, again, in the game is to determine, according to theresponse provided by the first player to the second player's request forbackground information, whether the criteria necessary to utilize thedream collection game unit 10 are met. Since the criteria require asnowy winter scene, and the card drawn by the first player recites asnowy winter scene, the criteria for utilizing unit 10 to collect thedream are determined to be met. Unit 10 collects the dream when thefirst player inserts the card 18, 19 in slot 12 such that the card 18,19 falls into unit 10.

The next step in the game is for the first and second players to retireto bed and sleep.

The next step in the game is, after the players awaken from sleeping,for the second player to again ask the first player for backgroundinformation about the dream. The background information can comprise arepeat of the information that the first player gave the second prior totheir both sleeping, or, can comprise additional information such as, byway of example and not limitation, whether the first player whilesleeping had a dream about a snowy woodland scene. The additionalbackground obtained from the first player after the players have sleptmay be used to determine whether the criteria for unit 10 are still met,or are not met. If, for example, the first player had a dream whilesleeping about a snowy scene, but something undesirable happened duringthe dream and the unit 10 is intended to store dreams with positiveexperiences, then it may be determined that the criteria for the dreamare not met and that unit 10 should not collect the dream, or beconsidered as a collection point for the dream, in which case the cardearlier placed in unit 10 can be removed from unit 10.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a game unit 20 including ahollow housing 21 and an action FIG. 30 shown in ghost outline. Housing21 is mounted on action FIG. 30 and includes slot 22, translucent jewel23, and a light source (not shown) mounted inside housing 21. The gameunit 10, 20 can have any desired shape and dimension.

1. A method of playing a game concerning dreams, comprising the stepsof: (a) providing a dream collection game unit comprising a (i) a hollowhousing, (ii) at least one opening formed in said housing, (iii) atleast one transparent jewel member mounted in said housing, (iv) atleast one light mounted in said housing to illuminate said jewel andproduce light rays that exit said hollow housing through said opening;(b) selecting criteria to meet to use said dream collection game unit tocollect a dream; (c) selecting at least one first and one second player;(d) asking of the first player by the second player to select a dream;(e) asking at least a first question of the first player by the secondplayer to gain background information on said selected dream; (f)evaluating, on the basis of a response to said first question by thefirst player, whether said criteria are met to utilize said dreamcollection game unit to collect said selected dream; and, (g) the firstand second player retiring to bed and sleeping.
 2. The method of claim 1including the additional step of, after the first and second playerawaken from sleep in step (g), asking at least a first question of thefirst player by the second player to gain background information on saidselected dream.
 3. The method of claim 2, including the additional stepof, on the basis of a response to said first question by the firstplayer after the first and second layer awaken from sleep, whether saidcriteria are met to utilize said dream collection game unit to collectsaid selected dream.